The most snow I ever saw in Tuckerman Ravine was in April, 1969. Mount Washington received 500 inches of snow that winter and the bumper stickers were everywhere, “I survived the winter of 69”.

With so much snow it was only natural that a group of skiers got together and ran a modern version of the Inferno. The original race ran from the summit, down across the snow fields, over the Headwall, and on down the Sherburne Ski Trail to Pinkham Notch.

In the early years skiers carefully cut their speed as they approached the Headwall, making tight turns to control their descent. In 1939 Tony Matt, a young Austrian schussed the 60-degree pitch and entered the tree-lined Sherburne at a speed estimated as high as 80 miles an hour. He cut two full minutes off the previous record for the run and no further races were held, mostly because of fear that racers trying to duplicate his feat, would be seriously injured or worse. Matt’s legendary run was never repeated.

In 1969, with all that snow it seemed to make sense to try it again, but this time the race ended on the floor of the ravine and no one was allowed to take the Headwall straight. Instead a giant slalom course was set down across the snowfields, over the lip and down to the finish. A horde of cheering spectators greeted the racers as they appeared at the top of the lip. It was one of those days in the Ravine that we never forget. Only an occasional tiny protrusion of rock showed through the deep snow. The racers and the rest of us were there for the celebration that is spring in Tuckerman Ravine and we had something special to watch.

After that, the Inferno went into hibernation until five years ago. Al Risch, who for many years directed the Wildcat Ski Patrol and guided skiers around Mount Washington, was the driving force in creating an organization called Friends of Tuckerman Ravine. The goal was to provide citizen support for the U.S. Forest Service in preserving the Ravine and the Cutler River Drainage Area and naturally a fund raiser was needed.

The result is the Tuckerman Inferno Pentathlon/Triathlon and the 5th annual version takes place next weekend. The ski race is the climax of this event, which includes legs of run, kayak, bike, hike and ski.

Competitors enter the event in three ways.

The Triathlon, called the Graniteman/Granitewoman Competition with divisions for men and women, consists of three legs, run, bike and kayak. The Pentathlon, Tuckerman/Tuckerwoman, is for especially tough athletes with one individual performing all five legs, run, kayak, bike, hike and ski. The Team Pentathlon has teams of five with each member taking a leg. Each leg is a challenge. The runners start at Storyland and run 8.3 miles to Thorn Pond Road across from Bear Peak at Attitash.

There the kayakers take over paddling 6 miles down the Saco River to White Gazebo and Humphrey’s Ledge. The bikers have an 18 mile peddle out West Side Road to Rte. 302 following a route that covers parts of Jericho Road and Glen Ledge Road before reaching Route16 for the long climb up through Pinkham Notch to the AMC Headquarters where the hikers take over to hike the 3.5 miles to the floor of Tuckerman Ravine. The skiers get their share of hiking as well, hiking from the floor of the Ravine to the summit where they step into their skis for the one mile GS from the East Snowfields, over the Headwall and back to the floor of the Ravine.

The field is strictly limited and has always filled up well before the start of the event. At this point it’s unlikely there are spots left, but those wishing to try can check the web site www.friendsoftuckerman.org.

Lunch Rocks in the Ravine would be a good spot for viewing, but that spot will fill up fast. Again, check the web site for advice on dress and other necessities. Food and water must be carried in, so make proper preparation if you plan to watch.

With the competition next weekend, a lot of skiers will be thinking of skiing Tuckerman Ravine this spring and the question is always the same.

Do I want to ski the Ravine now or wait until there are no lifts to ride?

This brings about the usual trade off. Early to mid-April is a time when we can ski back down the Sherburne Trail at the end of our ski day. Cover now is all the way to the AMC HQ, but each day it will retreat up the mountain. Most years by late April, skiers have to carry their skis and boots into the Ravine and carry them out at the end of the day. It’s a lot easier to ski down carrying a pack with hiking boots and some extra clothing than it is to walk down the fire trail with the weight of skis and boots on a pack frame.

That is the choice. When the snow is still left on the Sherburne, lifts are still running. Hike or ride is the choice, but the best skiing in Tuckerman is before the lifts close.

It’s up to you.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.